Menu

There is a new web service in town and it collects the opinions of the public. It seems they are doing all their advertising on buses and billboards, I spotted a billboard yesterday in Glasgow Central Station.

“These days, so many people feel that they’re not being listened to and they have no way of making their voice heard. They feel distanced from self-interested politicians and the news media. Yet the hallmark of Britain has always been that people care about, and have strong views on, almost everything. Speaking out is a democratic right this nation has historically embraced with enthusiasm.

Britainthinks was created to give people a new voice and support the vibrant democracy that the people of Britain already participate in up and down the country – in the pubs, living rooms and street corners of our nation. We’re not backed by big news media organisations. We have no political or religious axe to grind. We just believe it is high time for us all to listen, speak and vote for the issues that count in our daily lives. Britainthinks is the place to do just that.”

You can vote on issues ranging from ‘Should parents be paid to stay at home with kids?’ to ‘Do MP’s care about us or just themselves?’. I am curious as to who is behind this and what they are going to do with all the opinions they gather!

Although, as Matthew Taylor points out “BritainThinks doesn’t encourage its participants to ask themselves whether their opinion is wanted, useful or soundly based is reinforced by the site’s slogan…if you’ve got an opinion, here’s where to stick it…” It also doesn’t seem to have a space for people to discuss their opinions and engage in conversation about their thoughts…

I like the site and the graphics. I’ll be watching closley to see what happens next.

No worries, I had exactly the same reaction when I heard about it — and even felt a bit betrayed. But isn’t that interesting data in itself?

Why feel strongly about the commercial background? Maybe the line between commercial marketing and public engagement is thinner than expected? And maybe the practices through which they are accomplished are not so different after all? Aren’t we all astroturfing in a way?